About First Christian
Staff
Minister
Rev. Michael E. Karunas, Senior Minister
The Rev. Michael E. Karunas has been senior minister of First Christian Church Baton Rouge since October, 2004. Prior to this, he served as senior minister of First Christian Church Centralia, Illinois. He holds degrees from Butler University (B.A., 1991) and the University of Chicago (M. Div., 1998). He has served the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through the Disciples Peace Fellowship, the Division of Overseas Ministries as a missionary to Magdeburg, East Germany. Rev. Michael serves on the Week of Compassion Advisory Committee of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Committee on Ministry of the Great River Region, and is a board member of the Greater Baton Rouge Federation of Churches and Synagogues. In his free time, he enjoys running, cycling, and he loves to sing. Rev. Michael is married to the Rev. Amy Ziettlow who is the CEO of the Hospice Foundation of Greater Baton Rouge. Michael and Amy have two young children, Thomas and Isabella.
Office Staff
Andrew Packman, Licensed Ministerial Assistant
Andrew has been with us since July 2007. Andrew is a college graduate who is planning on attending seminary in the fall of 2009. His job responsibilities include coordinating our Youth Sunday School programming, our Sunday Night Youth Groups, and leading our College/Young Adults Group. His passions also include music and mission. To that end, he plays in our 610 praise band and is helping different groups in the church plan mission projects both near and far. We are grateful to have Andrew in our midst and have already experienced an increase in the quality of the programming we offer due to his leadership and involvement.
Brenda Hilgendorf, Administrative Professional
Brenda has served as Administrative Professional since October 1985. Originally from Wilmington, Illinois, she and her husband Jerry have been in Baton Rouge since the mid 1980s. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. In addition to ensuring that the wheels of the church run smoothly, Brenda enjoys reading, watching movies, playing Pokeno and spending time with her family.
Music Ministry
Chris Pyfrom, Director of Music
Chris has served as Director of Music since June 2006. As such, he directs the Chancel Choir and Disciple Ringers handbell choir. Prior to this he was employed as a scholarship singer with the FCC Chancel Choir. Chris is a native Floridian but comes to Baton Rouge through LSU. He will graduate from the school of Music in May 2008. A man of many talents, Chris has been a member of the LSU Tiger Band, receiving the award of Outstanding Tiger Bandsman for 2006. He is also a member of the music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha and has starred in the Baton Rouge Little Theater's productions of 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Cats'.
Bill Parker, Organist
Bill has served as organist since December 1997, though he has been playing the organ for the past 40 years. When not leading worship at FCC, he attends Broadmoor Baptist Church. He and his wife Danette have two children, Elizabeth and Will, and one grandchild. Bill was an elementary school teacher in Walker. He retired in May 2007.
Nursery Staff
Hollie Chapaneri
Hollie has served in our nursery since June, 2005. A member of FCC, she was raised in our youth program and has been a volunteer at Vacation Bible School for years. She is a junior at LSU majoring in accounting.
Amanda Hilgendorf
Amanda is a member of FCC and served the church in both the office and nursery in the mid-1990s and began working in the nursery again in January, 2006. She is also employed by Miller & Hampton, Attorneys at Law.
Lindsey Ratcliff
Lindsey is a native of West Monroe and a sophomore at LSU majoring in public relations. She is a Methodist for whom faith is very important. She has been with us since September, 2006.
Amy Lester
Amy is a FCC member currently attending LSU.
Buildings and Grounds
Arthur Bates
Arthur has been at FCC since February 2004. His work ethic and attention to detail has made him a favorite of the entire church family. Originally from Ethel, LA, he has spent the better part of his life in Baton Rouge. He and his wife, Irma celebrated 50 years of marriage this year and count 4 children, 5 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild in their family. Arthur attends New Hope Baptist Church in Baton Rouge and is an avid sports fan, counting LSU, the Saints, Southern, and the San Antonio Spurs as his favorites.